Don't get too attached to those plans, Billy.

Civilization isn't the source of ignorance. It merely sheds light on ignorance that would exist anyway. People would be just as stupid, selfish, and greedy on average living in a commune or rutting in the dirt for edible roots.

However, I believe that society is slowly getting better. Things that were considered constants a few hundred years ago, like slavery and illiteracy, are on a sharp decline towards oblivion. Despite being the butt of many jokes, television and the internet have gone a long way towards spreading information, ideas, and viewpoints across the world. People are more educated and sharper mentally than they used to be.
The process has a ways to go, and individuals can still rise well above the masses intellectually, but it's progress nonetheless. But those who actively seek knowledge rather than waiting for it be disseminated to them will always have an advantage.